So I like to draft on Zwift. In fact, I usually ride harder trying to keep up with stronger riders and often have to press to catch back up if I get dropped. I have fun with it but sometimes I really piss people off and they complain about my drafting on the chat function. Today I had someone keep trying to drop me unsuccessfully until they finally asked me to stop and told me I was annoying. Is there any etiquette that I’m violating by drafting in this video game training tool?
It’s a virtual training ground, but the etiquette is similar to outdoors. If someone passes you, just ask them if it’s OK to latch on. Many people are fine with it, some aren’t (respect their choice), and it’s def. a no-no to latch on and then zip past them once you are rested.
Must be an American, according to the multitude of post on here they seem to be the only folks who get wound up about people drafting them. I ride Zwift on rollers so the chance of me asking someone if I can draft is exactly zero. They should ride harder to drop you, just like in the real world!
I ride Zwift, and often have the drafting thing happening to me when I’m doing rides in workout mode. I actually quite like it, it makes it more interesting. The only thing that makes me shake my head is when you’re doing an organised group ride and someone is riding 0.5w/kg lower than you for the same speed in the flats. Clearly they’ve entered a height of 100cm or whatever to reduce their virtual cda.
But at the end of the day, I don’t see why people get upset about it. I don’t even really get how people are upset in real life, I hear the ‘I don’t want the hubbards crashing in to my back wheel’ argument, but really it’s quite a low risk. Online I say go for it, and if they say something in the message function is really piss them off by drafting, then surging on them over and over. After all it’s not like they can punch you like in real life!
I have a new dog that follows me and my wife around our house, constantly trying to shove her nose up our asses. It’s annoying and gross. You’re being like that dog.
Perhaps Zwift can create virtual snot-rockets for such occasions?
jaretj
I have a new dog that follows me and my wife around our house, constantly trying to shove her nose up our asses. It’s annoying and gross. You’re being like that dog.
Lighten up people, it’s a game.
I draft people all the time, just ignore the chat, it’s not like they can do anything about it anyway.
It’s a virtual training ground, but the etiquette is similar to outdoors. If someone passes you, just ask them if it’s OK to latch on. Many people are fine with it, some aren’t (respect their choice), and it’s def. a no-no to latch on and then zip past them once you are rested.
How is the etiquette similar to outdoors? You’re not invading anyone’s privacy, you’re not putting anyone in real danger by riding so close to them. I don’t understand how this is even an issue. If someone on zwift is that upset about it, just calm their nerves by saying, “hey you’re getting a much better workout than me!”
It puts a big “Mr. Douchehole is 1 meter behind” graphic icon at the bottom of their screen, wobbling back and forth, constantly changing the number as well. It is annoying as f*ck. Must be great to not care about how you annoy other people while also doing less work than everybody else at the same time. Stop it.
Breathe in…breathe out…
It puts a big “Mr. Douchehole is 1 meter behind” graphic icon at the bottom of their screen, wobbling back and forth, constantly changing the number as well. It is annoying as f*ck. Must be great to not care about how you annoy other people while also doing less work than everybody else at the same time. Stop it.
Zen and the Art of NO CHILL.
ZenTriBrat, Suggest you look up what Zen means.
lol, it’s pretty much a physical video game.
It’s a virtual training ground, but the etiquette is similar to outdoors. If someone passes you, just ask them if it’s OK to latch on. Many people are fine with it, some aren’t (respect their choice), and it’s def. a no-no to latch on and then zip past them once you are rested.
Did you really just type that?
So next time I’m playing Call of Duty I should apologize to the guy I just shot and killed???
Seriously!! you are worried about this? too funny!!!
I don’t understand why people care about drafting (in the game and in real life training). If someone wants to draft you, who gives a sh*t? You are doing the work and still getting a good workout in. The drafter may be a weaker rider and you could actually be helping them getting better. Who cares if they are doing less work? It doesn’t effect you so just let it go.
I get drafters occasionally on training rides and the only times I get a little concerned is when I’m doing intervals and they are right on my wheel. They have no idea I’m doing intervals and I get a little worried they won’t be paying attention at the end of my interval when I slow down. I try to announce I’m slowing or move to the left right before the interval ends so they can continue forward without running into me.
So next time I’m playing Call of Duty I should apologize to the guy I just shot and killed???
I had to quit playing Galaga because those invading aliens were f’ing rude.
It’s a virtual training ground, but the etiquette is similar to outdoors. If someone passes you, just ask them if it’s OK to latch on. Many people are fine with it, some aren’t (respect their choice), and it’s def. a no-no to latch on and then zip past them once you are rested.
Are you for real? Asking someone if you can suck their wheel?
If I don’t like it because I have a feel guy behind is sketchy, all I need to do is to accelerate a bit on the uphill and they all gone, in case they have a bit more stamina and are dangerously close on that hill: Off the saddle for brief moment to show them they are to close…
Asking someone in the game if you can draft is just dumb, you guys have to loosen up a bit…
It’s like asking in Soldier of Fortune if you can shoot someone…
I have >300 hours of time logged on Zwift and I’ve never had someone use the chat to tell me to get off their wheel. Quite the contrary, I periodically have some improv group rides form and it is sort of cool. A few times I’ve happened to be riding a similar pace to someone and they jam it up an incline, so I figure they prefer to do their own thing and let them go.
If someone felt this strongly about it they shouldn’t log into a networked social group ride environment like Zwift. Go use something like bkool’s software and be guaranteed to ride alone. I wouldn’t worry about this one bit. Naturally outdoors has a great deal more etiquette involved in joining up with someone though.
I’m sorry, but This post is hilarious. I now want to join Zwift just to do his to virtually piss people off.
It’s NOTHING like drafting in the real world or a real dog following you around and I truly feel bad for those who think otherwise